Means for and method of making lock washers



June Z7, 1933. Q G. OLSON 1,915,612

D OF MAKING LOCK WASHERS Filed March 25, 1931 (Sheets-Sheet 1 June27,1933. GQLSQN 1,915,512

FiIed March 23, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 My 1 Q I J H I J; W I 1 I 56 I} I f n 1 I dd 66 3| 1 W n! I i I I 74 w t w I: d? 5% I i r 1 I l 2 1' H s i 42 T r l r r d i g5; yu

d 1 E75 3 1 i A r/a/ i I 1 y 5/03 MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING LOCK WASHERS c. G. OLSON I 1,915,612

Filed March 25, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 2?, 1933.

c. OLSON MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING LOCK WASHERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 25} 1951 War/fir: CarZf 0km mm Z mm m w, m QM wa wmfi Ma a fi %& W MWQMWQ OA CARL G: QLSQN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SHAKEPROOF LOCK WASHER COMPANY, 6F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MEANS roe. awn mn rnon or time Loon wasnnns Application filed March at, 1931. Serial No. 524,453.

My invention relates to means for and methods of producing lock Washers, and more articularly to apparatus and methods whereby lock washers of an improved pronged construction may be produced.

it is one of the primary objects of my presont invention to provide a simple and improved mechanism, whereby pronged lock washers having oppositely disposed acute work engaging edges may be economically" and expeditiously manufactured.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for practicing same, whereby lock washers may be formed from flat spring stock by initially shearing said stock so as to provide acute corners on the prongs and then warping or deflecting said acutely formed prong to position work engaging corners oredges out of the plane of the washer body.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide an improved method of shearing fiat stock, such as stock employed for making pronged lock washers, which con sists in subjecting the stock to a shearing force in a direction which is inclined with respect to the plane of" the stock and thereby producing prongs having oppositely disposed acute work engaging edges In addition to thermethod and apparatus for providing acutely to'rmed lock washers,

I also propose to provide a method and means whereby said acutely formed prongs may be progressively warped or twisted so as to present the acutely formed edges there of in planes spaced from and substantially sidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of an apparatus, whereby my improved method of producing pronge type lock washers may be practiced;

Figure 2 is a transverse horizontal sectional view of my improved punch and die mechanism taken substantially along the line 2.2 of Figure 3;

Fi ure 3 is a central sectional view of the punc and die mechanism taken substantial- 1y along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, a strip of is stock being shown in operative association therewith;

Figures 4 to 9 inclusive present an exploded'view of my improved helical punch and die arrangement, Figure 4 disclosing the helical punch or male die section; Figure 5, the guide therefor; Figure 6, the spider which forms a part of the female die section;

Figure 7, the sectionwhich cooperates with the spider to complete the female die; Figure 8, the sleeve which provides the support for the spider; and Figure'i), the ring upon which the entire female die section rests;

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view of the male die section taken substantially along the line 10- -10 of Figure 4;

.Figure 11 is aplan view oi the device shown in Figure 5*;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the spider shown in Figure 6; I

Figure 13 is a plan View of the female die section shown in Figure 7;

Figure id is an enlarged plan view of a strip of stock disclosing the successive forming operation in producing the washer by practicing my improved method;

Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the forming members or dies, which is adapted to impart a progressive deflection or twist to the prongs of the washer;

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of a washer before the prongs thereof are deflected in response to the action of the device shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is an enlarged end View of one of the prongs of the structure shown in Fig ure l6;

vertical shifting of the Figure 18 is a plan view of a completed lock washer;

Figure 19 is a side elevational view of the washer of Figure 18; and

Figure'20 is an enlarged end view of one of the prongs of-the washer of Figure 19, said view bemg shown in order to more clearly disclose structural characteristics of th acutely formed prong.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it Wlll. be observed that my invention contemplates the provision of a die mechanism, designated "generally by the numeral 30, of improved ractical construction, whereby my improve method of producin lock washers may be effectively practiced. n order to more clearly illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, I have disclosed said die mechanism in operative association with a suitable punch press, which I have designated generally by the numeral 32. This punch press 32 and a strip feeding mechanism desi ated generally by the numeral 34, are disc osed and described in detail in the coendin application of Carl G. Liljeber erial 0. 233,003, filed November 14, 192 For the purpose of clearly understanding the present invention, it will sufiicie to say that the mechanism 34, which is driven by means of a chain 36 coupled with the drivmg mechanism (not shown) for the punchpress 32, includes a cam 38, which co-operates to effect reciprocation of an arbor 40, and this arbor is adapted to successively engage the apertured portions of the strip material 42.formed b the die mechanism 30. Thus by means of t e mechanism 34, the strip material is intermittently advanced from a suppl reel 44 through the die mechanism 30, and the remaining ortion of the stri is again received by 8. rec 46.

The die mec anism 30 includes a suitable punch member or support 48, which is adapted to be secured within the vertically reciprocable head 50 of the punch press 32, Figure 1. The punch member 48 carries a die block 52, and this block serves as a support for a lurality of die members 54, 56, 58, 60, an 62, Fi re 3. These die members are reciproca le within a suitable fixed guide plate 64, and vertical guide pins 66 serve to direct the unch member 48. A lower fixed punch mem er or block 68 su ports a die block 70, and this die block 0 serves as a mounting for the die elements or sections which are companion to the die members carried by the block 52, and are correspondingly designated by the numerals 54a, 56a 58a, 60a, and 62a.

(lonsider, for example, that the strip material 42 is initially introduced between the upper and lower sections of the die mechamsm 30. As the punch block 48 moves downwardly the punch element 54 causes an aperture 2 to be formed within the stock (see Figure 14). As the punch block 48 moves upwardly, the stri may be advanced to its next position, at w ich time the a erture, which was initially formed, wil be positioned to receive the punch member or pilot 56. Upon the next advancement of the strip material, the initially formed aperture 72 will be positioned between the ilot 56 and the die or punch member 58. pon the next advancement of said strip, the initially formed aperture 72 will be positioned immediately beneath the punch or die 58, the pilot 56 in this instance servin to accurately position the strip to be acted upon by the member 58.

Particular attention is directed to the punch member 58 which may be referred to as a male die section, said section being formed with a plurality of helically dis osed punch elements 74, Figures 4 and 10. paces 7 6 presented-between the punch elements 74 conform with the shape ofthe'prong to be formed in the completed washer, said completed washer being shown in Figure 18.

n this figure the annular body of the washer is designated by the numeral 78, and the prongs thereof by the numeral 80. The central lower portion of the male die section 58 is provided with a recess 82, and a hardened collar 84, Figures 3, 5, and 11, serves as a means for guiding the punch elements 74 during their reciprobable movement. This collar 84 is formed with helically disposed recesses 74a, which correspond in circumferential width to the width of the punch elements 74, and thus serve to guide said elements during their reciprocation. In this connection it will be noted that the u per end of the male die section 58 is rotata ly supported within an anti-friction or ball bearin mechanism 86, said mechanism being carrie by the die block 52, Figure 3. By this arrangement the male die section 58 is adapted to rotate in response to the reciprocation of the helical punch elements 74 within their companion helical guide ways 7 4a.

The female die section 58a, which is companion to the male die section 58, includes a sleeve 88, Figures 3, 7, and 13, said sleeve being mounted within the lower die block 70. A plurality of helical grooves 90 are formed along the inner surface of the upper portion of the sleeve 88,.and these grooves are designed to receive the outer extremities of helically disposed teeth 92 of a spider 94, Figures 2, 6,'and 12. It will be observed that when the spider 94 is lowered within the sleeve 88, spaces 96, Figures 2 and 12, presented between the spider teeth conform with the cross-sectional shape of and are adapted to receive the punch elements 74 of the male die section 58. Thus, as these punch ele ments 74 are moved downwardly into associomers ation with a strip 42, sections of said strip are punched therefrom so as to provide spaces 98, Figure 14.

The helical disposition of the elements 74 and the helical disposition of the cooperative sides of the spider teeth 92 cause the stock to be sheared at an angle, thereby causing the resulting prongs 80 to be diamond shaped in cross-section. In this connection particular reference is made to Figure 17, wherein l have disclosed an enlarged view for the purpose of illustrating this inclined shcarin action. It will beseen that the angles designated by the letter A in Figure l? are acute angles and that the cross-section of the prong is diamond-shaped.

helical die member 58, it

As the strip is successively advanced, it is brought into position between the forming members (30 and (30a. The member 60a is disclosed in perspective detail in Figure 15, and it will be apparent that the cooperative member 60 is similarly formed. These members are provided with teeth 100 which are so disposed as to impart the desired deflection or twist to the prongs 80. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the draw.- ings, I desire to warp or deflect the prongs so as to present acute work engaging edges 102, Figures 18, it), and out of the plane of the washer body 78, said edges lying in planes which are substantially parallel with the plane oi said body portion. @bviously the exact surface contour of the teeth 100 will dependent upon the required shape of the washer prong. in disclosing the teeth 10%, have not endeavored to accurately indicate the helical configuration of said teeth, but have merely presented a view which sutiiciently approximates the exact tooth configuration to enable clear under standing of my present invention.

After the steel: has been "upon by the appear as shown by the cut-outs included between the bracket l5, Figure 14.. This cut-out will eventually be advanced into position heneath the punch 62, which serves to sever the outer extremities of the prongs 80 from the remaining portion of the stock, and causes said completed washer to be ejected into a cylinder discharge opening 104, Figure 3.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the strip material is advanced step by step through the die mechanism, and during each actuation thereof a completed washor will be directed through the discharge opening 104. Thus my invention contemplates the provision of a method, whereby washers having prongs of diamond-shaped cross-section may be formed in automatic succession from fiat stock. lhe work engaging edges 102, as stated above, are acute and lie in planes substantially parallel with the plane of the washer body 78, and by having these edges formed acutely, their locking effectiveness when clamped between the surfaces of work pieces is materially increased. The described helical die arrangement provides a very convenient and efi'ective means for imparting an angular shear to the stock, and by having the female die section which cooperates therewith, formed in two parts, namely, the part 88 and the spider 94, the problem of manufacture is greatly simplified. That is to say, it is far more simple to provide helical grooves along the outer edge of the spider and companion helical grooves along the inner edge of the die member or sleeve 88, than it would be to provide helical slots within a solid piece of material.

My improved helical punch 58 may be characterized as a multiple threaded screwlike body, in which thread elements, namely, the helical punch elements it, extend beyond one end of the core of the screw body, These extending portions are adapted to be received by companion internal threads provided in the die member 58a. it may further be stated that this die member 58o has its core intact inasmuch as the spider 94 is mounted within the member 58a. I prefer to employ a helix angle not greater than 45 degrees. That is to say, the angular disposition oi the punch or thread elements 7%- with respect to the axis of the punch 58 will ordinarily not exceed 45 degrees. However, my invention is by no means limited to any particular gular disposition.

While I have disclosed one specific embodimerit of thedic mechanism for imparting an angular or inclined shear to the flat spring stock, it should be understood that my invention is by no means limited to the specific structure disclosed in the drawings, but is capable of otherv modifications and changes Without departing from the spirit and scope l'rfaving thus descrbed my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of producing loch washers from flat spring stock which consists in shearing said stock at an angle oblique with respect to the plane thereof so as to produce a plurality oi washer prongs having acute work engaging teeth. A

2. The method of producing lock wash ers from iiat spring stock which consists in successively shearing said stock at an angle oblique with respect to the plane thereof so as to produce a plurality oi washer prongs having acute work engaging teeth, whereby loch washers may be produced in automatic succession from a sheet of flat stock.

3. Themethod of producing lock washers from fiat spring stock which consists in shearing said stock at an angle oblique with respect to the plane thereof so as to produce a plurality of washer prongs having acute work engaging teeth, and warping said prongs so as to position said acute work engaging edges out of the plane of the washer stoc 4. The method of producing lock washers from flat spring stock whichconsists in sub- J'ectin said stock to the shearing action of a helical path for producing washer prongs having oppositely disposed acute edges, and means for deflecting said washer prongs so as to position said acute edges out of the plane of the washer stock.

6. In apparatus for producing lock washers from flat spring stock, a die mechanism including a plurality of cutters having shear ing surfaces inclined with respect to the plane of the washer stock end adapted to follow a helical path for producing washer prongs having oppositely disposed acute edges, means "for deflecting said washer prongs so as to position said acute edges out ot-the plane or the washer stock, and means for successively advancing said die mechanism.

7. A die mechanism for producing loclr Washers and the like from fiat s ring stock including means having a plurs ity of annularly disposed helical cutters, and means companion to said helical cutters for effectin the shearing of a piece of flat spring stocl r when said cutters and companion means are relatively shifted.

8. A die mechanism for forming lock washers and the like from flat spring stock including a cylindrical member having a plurality of 5 seed peripheral cutters arranged helicaly with respect to the axis thereof, one extremity of said cutters lying in a substantially common plane and adapted to engage the surface of the work piece for producing apertures therein, and a cooperative die element for engaging the opposite surface of the work piece, said die element having helical ways companion to said helical cutters.

stock acted upon by 9. A die mechanism for forming lock washers and the like from fiat spring stock including a cylindrical member having a plurality of s aced lperipheral cutters arranged helical y witi respect to the axis thereof, one extremity of said cutters lying in a substantially common plane and adapted to engage the surface of the work piece for producing apertures therein, a cooperative die element-for engaging the opposite surface of the work piece, said die element having helical ways companion to said helical cutters, and means for rotatably supporting one of said parts, whereby to permit of rotation occasioned in response to the helical disposition of the cutters.

lOJll die mechanism for producing lock washers and the like including a support, a punch member mounted in said support, said member including a plurality of spaced cutter elements disposed at an angle with respect to the plane of the washer stock to be acted upon, and a die mechanism cooperatively arranged with respect to said punch Y elements, said die mechanism including a sleeve and a spider mounted therein for receiving said punch elements.

11. A die mechanism for producing lock washers and the like including a support, a punch member mounted in said support, send member including a plurality of spaced cutter elements disposed at an angle with respect to the plane of the washer stock to be acted upon, a die mechanism cooperatively arranged with respect to said punch elements, sai die mechanism including a sleeve and a spider mounted therein for receiving said punch elements, and means for guiding said punch elements. 7 p

12. An eoperetus for producing lock washers from net spring stock, a screwlike ele ment having external multiple threads, sections of said threads extending at one end beyond the core of said screwlilre element, and e coo erative device havin internal threads which are companion to t e threads in the screwlike element, said internally threaded device having a core intact, and means for im arting relative axial movement to said screw ike element and said internally threaded device, whereby the extending portions of the external threads will register with the threads of the internally threaded device for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. I

CARL G. OLSON. 

